Most have 3 prs of leaves David, some were nipped earlier in December and have side shoots but I'm not worried about them, so will wait for a milder spell to nip any more.
The penny has finally dropped regarding mollycoddling, I've foxglove and parsley doing well in the garden with no TLC.
I have more than 3 pairs of leaves. Should I pinch now or wait until snow has gone. They are not leggy. Followed your advice all the way and pleased with success so far. Thabks.
I have more than 3 pairs of leaves. Should I pinch now or wait until snow has gone. They are not leggy. Followed your advice all the way and pleased with success so far. Thabks.
Inasmuch as leaving an open wound to heal during frosty weather isn't good for the plants, I would wait until there is a window of 3 or 4 days of frost-free days & nights.
The vegetation of the sweet peas I grew last year in my window box are still green and health, so I did not pull them out. Will they flower again this coming summer or should I dispose of them.
Carole - There are both perennial & annual sweet peas, although I would guess that as yours being grown in a window-box are annuals...probably a dwarf variety as normal sweet peas would soon swamp a window-box. Perennial SPs are extremely rampant, so I doubt if yours are those.
Oddly enough, both usually die-back in the autumn. It's usual to cut back perennials to ground level (they will regrow from the base in the spring) and dig out annuals completely.
Starting to get a bit nippy at night now, so perhaps covering those SPs with a with fleece may be worth thinking about at temps of lower than say -5C.
Remember not to water at present. Don't be afraid if the compost is frozen solid in the pots, or even if they flop over.......they will recover as soon as they thaw-out again.
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Most have 3 prs of leaves David, some were nipped earlier in December and have side shoots but I'm not worried about them, so will wait for a milder spell to nip any more.
The penny has finally dropped regarding mollycoddling, I've foxglove and parsley doing well in the garden with no TLC.
I have more than 3 pairs of leaves. Should I pinch now or wait until snow has gone. They are not leggy. Followed your advice all the way and pleased with success so far. Thabks.
Inasmuch as leaving an open wound to heal during frosty weather isn't good for the plants, I would wait until there is a window of 3 or 4 days of frost-free days & nights.
Pardon?
The vegetation of the sweet peas I grew last year in my window box are still green and health, so I did not pull them out. Will they flower again this coming summer or should I dispose of them.
Many thanks to anyone who can supply and answer.
Carole - There are both perennial & annual sweet peas, although I would guess that as yours being grown in a window-box are annuals...probably a dwarf variety as normal sweet peas would soon swamp a window-box. Perennial SPs are extremely rampant, so I doubt if yours are those.
Oddly enough, both usually die-back in the autumn. It's usual to cut back perennials to ground level (they will regrow from the base in the spring) and dig out annuals completely.
Oh, Perennial Sweet Peas??? Where can I get some of those? I thought they were only annuals
Google Everlasting Sweet Peas - most seedsmen sell them - they're pretty but have no scent
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Starting to get a bit nippy at night now, so perhaps covering those SPs with a with fleece may be worth thinking about at temps of lower than say -5C.
Remember not to water at present. Don't be afraid if the compost is frozen solid in the pots, or even if they flop over.......they will recover as soon as they thaw-out again.